Songbird (Willie Nelson album)
Encyclopedia
Songbird is an album by Willie Nelson
released by Lost Highway Records on October 31, 2006. It was produced by contemporary country rock musician Ryan Adams
. Adams, along with his band The Cardinals, performed on the album’s eleven tracks. It peaked at #87 on the Billboard 200
on November 18, 2006
Most of the songs from the album are cover tunes with new interpretations. The credit for covering these songs goes to Adams, who "...felt confident with all the selections." In the same interview, Nelson points out that he was tentative about recording songs that had already been recorded as good as these were. He summed up the album by stating, 'It'll always be the Ryan Adams
project, as far as I'm concerned.'
Willie Nelson
Willie Hugh Nelson is an American country music singer-songwriter, as well as an author, poet, actor, and activist. The critical success of the album Shotgun Willie , combined with the critical and commercial success of Red Headed Stranger and Stardust , made Nelson one of the most recognized...
released by Lost Highway Records on October 31, 2006. It was produced by contemporary country rock musician Ryan Adams
Ryan Adams
David Ryan Adams is an American alt-country/rock singer-songwriter, from Jacksonville, North Carolina. Initially part of the group Whiskeytown, Adams left the band and released his first solo album Heartbreaker in 2000...
. Adams, along with his band The Cardinals, performed on the album’s eleven tracks. It peaked at #87 on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
on November 18, 2006
Music
Only two brand new compositions, Nelson’s “Back to Earth” and Adams’ “Blue Hotel,” appear on Songbird. “Rainy Day Blues,” “We Don’t Run,” and “Sad Songs and Waltzes” are original Nelson tunes, but they were released on earlier records.Most of the songs from the album are cover tunes with new interpretations. The credit for covering these songs goes to Adams, who "...felt confident with all the selections." In the same interview, Nelson points out that he was tentative about recording songs that had already been recorded as good as these were. He summed up the album by stating, 'It'll always be the Ryan Adams
Ryan Adams
David Ryan Adams is an American alt-country/rock singer-songwriter, from Jacksonville, North Carolina. Initially part of the group Whiskeytown, Adams left the band and released his first solo album Heartbreaker in 2000...
project, as far as I'm concerned.'
Ryan Adams' thoughts on the album
Regarding his role of producer for the album, Ryan Adams states that he:learned a lot of life lessons mostly. I mean, [Willie Nelson] works very quickly and it was very spare. We didn’t see him a lot, because the sessions were over a couple of different months. And also when it came up that it was something we were going to do, I was adamant that if The Cardinals were going to back him up, I would have to produce so we wouldn’t have to worry about someone interfering with our sound. So they agreed to let it go down the way it went down in the studio, and I put some limits on what was going to happen in order to keep the integrity of the recording. It reminded me kind of how JackJack White (musician)Jack White , often credited as Jack White III, is an American musician, songwriter, record producer and occasional actor...
and Meg WhiteMeg WhiteMegan Martha "Meg" White is an American drummer best known for her work in the Detroit rock duo The White Stripes.-Early life:...
work, the way that their limits make them seem stronger and more able to be resourceful and economical. In thinking about that, I wanted everyone to set up in the room around Willie, with only [drummer] Brad [Pemberton] wearing headphones, and everyone using ratty old amps so that the main thing everyone heard was Willie’s voice and guitar. It was cool because it made everyone listen really hard, and I think it enabled Willie to throw the band a little more, and suck them in. It turned into a real healthy struggle. But other than that we didn’t see a lot of him because I think he was pressed for time, and maybe recording in New York was a little overwhelming for him. It was just a different process. I think he’s used to coming in with the track already done and just singing over it."
Track listing
- “Rainy Day Blues” (Willie Nelson) – 5:32
- “Songbird” (Christine McVieChristine McVieChristine McVie is an English rock singer, keyboardist, and songwriter. Her primary fame came as a member of the British/American rock band Fleetwood Mac, though she has also released three solo albums...
) – 2:40 - “Blue Hotel” (Ryan AdamsRyan AdamsDavid Ryan Adams is an American alt-country/rock singer-songwriter, from Jacksonville, North Carolina. Initially part of the group Whiskeytown, Adams left the band and released his first solo album Heartbreaker in 2000...
) – 3:30 - “Back to Earth” (Willie Nelson) – 2:59
- “Stella Blue” (Robert HunterRobert Hunter (lyricist)Robert C. Hunter is an American lyricist, singer-songwriter, translator, and poet, best known for his association with Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead.-Biography:He was born Robert Burns in San Luis Obispo, California...
, Jerry GarciaJerry GarciaJerome John "Jerry" Garcia was an American musician best known for his lead guitar work, singing and songwriting with the band the Grateful Dead...
) – 6:23 - “Hallelujah” (Leonard CohenLeonard CohenLeonard Norman Cohen, is a Canadian singer-songwriter, musician, poet and novelist. Cohen published his first book of poetry in Montreal in 1956 and his first novel in 1963. His work often explores religion, isolation, sexuality and interpersonal relationships...
) – 4:53 - “$1000 Wedding” (Gram ParsonsGram ParsonsGram Parsons was an American singer, songwriter, guitarist and pianist. Parsons is best known for his work within the country genre; he also mixed blues, folk, and rock to create what he called "Cosmic American Music"...
) – 3:05 - “We Don’t Run” (Willie Nelson) – 4:19
- “Yours Love” (Harlan HowardHarlan HowardHarlan Perry Howard was a prolific American songwriter, principally in country music. In a career spanning six decades, Howard wrote a large number of popular and enduring songs, recorded by a variety of different artists...
) – 3:03 - “Sad Songs and Waltzes” (Willie Nelson) – 3:17
- “Amazing GraceAmazing Grace"Amazing Grace" is a Christian hymn with words written by the English poet and clergyman John Newton , published in 1779. With a message that forgiveness and redemption are possible regardless of the sins people commit and that the soul can be delivered from despair through the mercy of God,...
” (Traditional Arr. by Ryan Adams) – 4:49
Personnel and credits
All information taken from the Songbird CD release:- Willie NelsonWillie NelsonWillie Hugh Nelson is an American country music singer-songwriter, as well as an author, poet, actor, and activist. The critical success of the album Shotgun Willie , combined with the critical and commercial success of Red Headed Stranger and Stardust , made Nelson one of the most recognized...
- acoustic guitar, vocals - Ryan AdamsRyan AdamsDavid Ryan Adams is an American alt-country/rock singer-songwriter, from Jacksonville, North Carolina. Initially part of the group Whiskeytown, Adams left the band and released his first solo album Heartbreaker in 2000...
- acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass guitar - Jon GraboffJon GraboffJon Graboff is a multi-instrumentalist and record producer. Between 2005 and 2009, he was a member of The Cardinals, primarily as a pedal steel guitarist...
- pedal steel - Brad Pemberton- drums
- Neal CasalNeal CasalNeal Casal is an American songwriter, singer, multi-instrumentalist and photographer who has maintained an acclaimed solo career as well as playing guitar for The Cardinals.-1990 - 1999:...
- piano, guitar - Catherine Popper- bass guitar
- Mickey RaphaelMickey RaphaelMichael Siegfried "Mickey" Raphael is a professional harmonica player, best known for his work with Willie Nelson. He has recorded with Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris, Elton John, Mötley Crüe, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Wynton Marsalis, Kenny Chesney, U2 and Neil Young.Raphael's style is mostly second...
- harmonica - Glenn Patscha- Hammond B-3
- “Hallelujah” background vocal arrangements: Melonie Daniels, Darius Booker, Tiffany Palmer
- “Hallelujah,” “Blue Hotel,” “$1000 Wedding” choir: Tiffany Anderson, Karen BernodKaren BernodKaren Bernod is an American born R&B vocalist, songwriter, and producer.Karen is best known for her unique vocal harmonies as a background singer for Chaka Khan, Erykah Badu, C&C Music Factory and D'Angelo.-Biography:...
, Darius Booker, Melonie Daniels, Felicia Graham, Tiffany Palmer, Carlos Ricketts, Horace V. Rogers - Carlos Ricketts- choir arranger
- Produced by Ryan AdamsRyan AdamsDavid Ryan Adams is an American alt-country/rock singer-songwriter, from Jacksonville, North Carolina. Initially part of the group Whiskeytown, Adams left the band and released his first solo album Heartbreaker in 2000...
- Engineered by Tom Gloady, Jamie Candiloro at Loho StudiosLoho StudiosLoho Studios is a New York recording studio. Founded in 1983 by brothers Edward and Victor Luke, it began as a rehearsal studio but, with the addition of recording equipment, over time became a full-fledged recording studio...
(New YorkNew YorkNew York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, NY) - Second Engineers- Jim KellerJim Keller (musician)Jim Keller is one of the founders, the lead guitarist, and supporting vocalist for the American rock band Tommy Tutone, and was co-writer of that band's most famous single, 867-5309/Jenny. He has used Fender Guitars and as of October 2008, is still "Rocking out heavily and writing songs for...
, Gus Oberg, Eddie Jackson, Peter Doris - Mixed by Jamie Candiloro at Avatar StudiosAvatar StudiosAvatar Studios, formerly known as The Power Station, is a recording studio at 441 West 53rd Street in Manhattan, New York City.The building was originally a Consolidated Edison power plant; but after a period of vacancy, it was used as a sound stage for the television game show Let's Make a Deal...
(New YorkNew YorkNew York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, NY) - Mastered by Fred Kevorkian at Kevorkian Mastering (New YorkNew YorkNew York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, NY) - Art Direction and Design by Craig Allen
- Photography by Danny ClinchDanny ClinchDanny Clinch is a photographer and film director who was born in Toms River, New Jersey in 1964. He graduated from Toms River High School East in 1982 and after attending Ocean County College, he attended the New England School of Photography, a two-year institution located in Boston, MA.Clinch...
(cover), Jon GraboffJon GraboffJon Graboff is a multi-instrumentalist and record producer. Between 2005 and 2009, he was a member of The Cardinals, primarily as a pedal steel guitarist...
Chart performance
| Chart (2006) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Top Country Albums | 19 |
| U.S. Billboard 200 | 87 |